BLOG BREAK Routines and Retreats
Nick Cross presents his fortnightly selection of must-read blogs.
2020 has not been a great year for many of us. But Kelley Donner has had an amazing adventure! Read the inspiring story of how her self-published pandemic picture book The Day the Lines Changed became a bestseller. But wait, there's more. Emboldened by her success in rapid publishing, Kelley has written, illustrated, and published a Christmas book in less than two weeks! Is she allowed to have a rest now?
I really missed going on a writing retreat this year. But it turns out there's an alternative - here's Claire Fayers blogging about how the SCBWI Wales group went away together on a virtual retreat.
Blogging can be a fascinating way to get a peek into other writers' routines, and I loved Catherine Rosevear's idea of using a specific object to ground you in your story.
John Shelley doesn't blog that often, but when he does it's always worth reading. Here he is sharing some fabulous one-inch-square spooky artwork, and reflecting on the challenges of a year that has made even introverts feel like they should be getting out more!
Hormones aren't a subject that gets discussed much on the Blog Break, even though they have a huge impact on our mood and creativity. Here's Clare Helen Welsh to give us an insight on the science of why writing makes us happy.
Nick.
*Feature image: Blog Break logo by Nick Cross
Nick Cross is Words & Pictures' Blog Network Editor. An Undiscovered Voices winner, he both writes and illustrates for children, and was honours winner of the SCBWI Magazine Merit Award for fiction.
Nick also blogs for Notes from the Slushpile. His most recent post asks: What if this is the Last Book You’ll Ever Write?
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